Gaza's agricultural products are now allowed to enter Israel's market, a move that can help boost Gaza's ailing economy.

The entry of Gaza produce is under the permission of the Israeli government.

Around five tons of eggplants and 27 tons of tomatoes were reportedly cleared to leave Gaza and be exported to Israel.

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"Exporting to Israel is better but insufficient," said one of Gaza's merchants, Hosni Shehada. It was in his warehouse that the Gaza-produced tomatoes and eggplants were prepared for exports to Israel.

More vegetables for export

In the future, Gaza will not just be exporting tomatoes and eggplants to Israel.

Other vegetables will also be exported later on as confirmed by COGAT, the military agency that is in-charge for Gaza's civilian affairs.

Accordingly, around 1,500 tons of vegetables from Gaza, with each ton valued at USD770, will be expected to hit the Israeli market.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Agriculture Ministry said that 17 farmers from Gaza submitted samples of their agricultural products to Israel, only nine of which passed Israeli standards.

The vegetables will be exported to Israel in boxes. These boxes will be labelled with the farmers' names in Arabic and English under the line "Product of Gaza."

Boost in economy

The exportation of Gaza's agricultural products to Israel is said to be one of the greatest measures in boosting Gaza's troubled economy.

Since Hamas seized the territory in 2007, the Israeli government blocked Gaza imports to Israel. Gaza merchants are not allowed to market tons of their vegetables and fruits to Israeli market.

This move of Israel, together with Egypt, was prompted after Hamas was involved in bloody street wars against the supporters of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Since 2008, Israel and Hamas have been in three wars against each other.

According to Israel, the blockade of Gaza's exports was necessary so that the Hamas could not procure any more weapons of war.

TagsGaza, Hamas, Israel, agricultural products